By Spike Measer, Big Time Sports
NFC EAST
Dallas - The ‘Boys are still smarting from their playoff loss last season. A lack of focus and overconfidence dealt a humbling blow in 2007, but that won’t be a problem this year. This is the most talent-laden club in the conference, and could easily replicate that gaudy 13-3 record from a season ago. Terrell Owens and Jason Witten return as powerful weapons for athletic playmaking quarterback Tony Romo. Marion Barber will be the full time featured back, but rookie Felix Jones will make a significant contribution. The O-Line is already solid and will benefit from new position coach Hudson Houck. Dallas was the second-highest scoring team in the NFL last season, and should be near the top again this time around. The stop unit is a very capable bunch, playing a 3-4 scheme featuring DE Marcus Spears and OLB DeMarcus Ware (14 sacks in ‘07). The secondary of Newman, Hamlin, Williams and Henry is one of the best in the league. PK Nick Folk has a strong leg. With back-to-back road games only once, and 4 of their last 6 at home, anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl will be a disappointment. This team clearly warrants being the favorite in the NFC.
By Joey D
Being the host of a daily sports talk radio show, I can attest to the fact that there are a few topics of discussion that can be brought up virtually any time and are guaranteed to receive feedback one way or another. For example: Should Pete Rose be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame? Or: What type of post-season format should be used in college football? Then, there’s this one: Should college athletes be paid some sort of stipend to play their sport?